If passed by the SRIA, the plans would still have to be approved by Escambia County's development review community. Board chairman Dave Pavlock suggested writing a letter to the county to fast-track approval, so the developers can meet their May 23 goal to have the ride operational.

The proposed site of the attraction is the Sound Side Center, owned by Julian MacQueen, who also owns the adjacent hotels Hilton Pensacola Beach, Hampton Inn and Holiday Inn Resort.

"This is one of those rare opportunities we have to bring an attraction into our market area that no one else has," MacQueen told the News Journal. "Gulf Shores to Orange Beach has wave pools and zoos. All these are great attractions to keep people there one more day."